Astronomy

August 15, 2023

Curiosity Rover Has Been Climbing a Mountain on Mars Since 2014

Just keep climbing, climbing. That could be the Mars rover's motto. Known as Curiosity, the vehicle has been exploring the area of Gale Crater on the Red Planet. This 3.5-billion-year-old crater once held water, and from its center rises Mount Sharp, a 3.4-mile-tall hill. Curiosity's photographs and data have been universe-changing for astronomers. Despite her age, Curiosity keeps climbing up the mountain to reach new heights of learning and new spectacular views.

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June 29, 2023

European Space Agency Releases New High-Resolution Photos of Mars

In June 2003, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Mars Express orbiter to investigate the surface and composition of the Red Planet. For 20 years, the spacecraft has been circling Mars, providing a wealth of information for scientists back on Earth. In celebration of this anniversary, ESA released new high-resolution photos of our neighboring planet, showcasing an unprecedented variation in color and composition.

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June 22, 2023

Green Bolt of Lightning Captured on Jupiter by NASA’s JunoCam

If you thought lightning on Earth was spectacular, NASA is giving us a glimpse of what it looks like on Jupiter. Thanks to an image taken by JunoCam, we can clearly see a spark of green lightning in the distance. The photo, which was processed by citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill, was taken during Juno's 31st close flyby of Jupiter on Dec. 30, 2020. So what accounts for the green color?

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.